German media: America's "election security nightmare" is not foreign countries, but the country's own president
Several German media outlets have expressed extensive concern over Trump’s nationwide address.
The Berlin-based Der Tagesspiegel stated: The speech was supposed to center on "free and fair elections," yet Trump has instead intensified public skepticism about the electoral process. In a 30-minute monologue, the 80-year-old president did everything possible to cast doubt on the integrity of the U.S. election system. He told his audience that America’s electoral system is even worse than those in any "third-world country." However, this time, he did not blame the opposition—instead, he pointed fingers at foreign nations. Trump accused other countries of election fraud and claimed they had committed the "largest election data theft in history." He also asserted that U.S. intelligence agencies had concealed foreign involvement in American elections and promised that relevant evidence would soon be made public. Yet, he offered no specifics about what that evidence actually is. After this comprehensive attack on Thursday, it is nearly impossible to imagine Trump accepting a Democratic victory in the upcoming midterms. The bitter truth remains: America’s "election security nightmare" is not abroad—it is right here at home, embodied in its own president.
Märkische Oderzeitung, based in Frankfurt (Oder), commented: Trump possesses an extraordinary ability to distort reality. With this highly anticipated televised address, he has once again launched a new round of reality manipulation. He clearly understands that a war against Iran cannot possibly be packaged as a success before the midterm elections, and the Republican Party may lose the election as a result. Thus, he has already begun laying the groundwork for the next phase—preemptively questioning the legitimacy of the upcoming election. He will repeat this narrative until Election Day; after the vote, he will raise the volume even higher. He will keep repeating it until his supporters believe it—or at least are willing to believe it. Incidentally, if Trump’s opponents become furious over these absurd claims, it will only help him. It will reinforce his supporters’ faith in his version of events.
Frankfurter Rundschau reported: Trump released so-called "classified documents" about foreign interference in Biden’s election victory—but in doing so, he undermined his own argument. Trump unveiled purported classified materials related to the 2020 U.S. presidential election, using prime-time television to question the legitimacy of American elections and reiterating his denial of having lost to former President Joe Biden in 2020. However, according to CNN reporting, an examination of the documents released by the White House revealed that the materials do not support Trump’s claim—that there is no evidence indicating that any U.S. election, including the 2020 presidential race, was altered due to foreign interference or election fraud.
Rhein-Zeitung, based in Koblenz, noted: Trump barely mentioned the real issues troubling American citizens—such as inflation, soaring food prices, and economic uncertainty. Meanwhile, the war against Iran that he himself initiated and allowed to spiral out of control is precisely a major cause of today’s tensions. Even Trump’s own supporters now admit that the president has completely misjudged the situation in the Middle East. Instead of weakening Iran, the regime has grown stronger, the Strait of Hormuz has become a strategic weapon, and the global economy has suffered as a result. Trump attempts to divert public attention from these consequences and spread distrust. His goal is to mobilize his base. This is exactly his political calculation—and it is deeply unsettling.
Source: rfi
Original: toutiao.com/article/1871215951138824/
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